McCall: Rangers bid for Jordan Jones is too HIGH

Ayr United boss Ian McCall has entered the row over Rangers £350,000 bid for Kilmarnock star Jordan Jones ... by claiming the offer is too HIGH.

The Ibrox side angered Killie with their bid for the winger yesterday - Rugby Park boss Steve Clarke said it was “nowhere near acceptable”.

Killie striker Kris Boyd stoked the row this morning when he said Rangers were unsettling players then refusing to pay the going rates. But McCall - who has seen Jones up close when his side beat Kilmarnock in the Betfred Cup earlier this season - told BBC Sportsound tonight:

I think they’re well off the mark…I’d pay £150,000 for him!

I’ve seen him in one game when he played against us. He was their main threat but he didn’t really do anything, there was no end product I didn’t think.

But he’s got pace and he plays out wide. But for me to pay £350k…

It’s not a lot of money, but it is in Scottish football.

20:33

Ashley ends Newcastle takeover talks

The former Rangers shareholder, who put the Magpies up for sale in October, had been engaged through his representatives with Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners in a bid to thrash out a deal for the club he has owned for more than a decade.

However, it emerged this evening that he had finally lost patience and ended negotiations.

Alexis Sanchez at East Fife?

The League One side have waded in on the speculation over the future of Alexis Sanchez ... and the club have refused to rule out that he won’t be turning out at Bayview in the second half of the season.

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest developments.

20:15KEY EVENT

Lafferty on Hearts exit rumours

Kyle Lafferty has responded to reports that he is edging closer to a Tynecastle exit during the January transfer window,

The forward has been one of the Jambo’s key players this season and he’s poured cold water over a potential Hearts departure.

Reports claimed the Northern Irish international could be header for a move to the Middle East or Asia, but Lafferty himself is unaware of any interest.

19:23

Mourinho 'close to new Manchester United deal'

(Image: Getty)

Jose Mourinho is closing in on a contract extension at Manchester United , according to reports down south.

The Portuguese has been under increasing pressure with rivals City romping ahead at the top of the Premier League .

But, according to the National, negotiations which have been ongoing throughout the season between Mourinho and the Old Trafford hierarchy are close to concluding.

Video: Lambert unveiled at Stoke City

Pictured: Walcott after Everton medical

The 28-year-old is on the verge of completing a £20m move to the Toffees as he looks to kick-start a faltering career in which he has slipped down Arsene Wenger’s pecking order at the Emirates.

16:29

Maddison wanted by Spurs and Liverpool

James Maddison will need no introduction to Aberdeen fans after his impressive loan stint at Pittodrie last season.

Now the Norwich City midfielder - regarded as one of the top performers in the English Championship this season - is being linked with megabucks moves to the Premier League.

We told earlier this week how Liverpool had been linked with the 21-year-old playmaker. Now Tottenham have shown an interest, according to the Evening Standard, with Leicester and Manchester City also said to be monitoring the player.

16:21KEY EVENT

Lennon lines up transfer targets for Hibs

(Image: SNS Group)

Hibs boss Neil Lennon hasn’t finished his January business and says he has signing targets in his sights as he looks to strengthen for the second half of the season.

Australia striker Jamie Maclaren and goalkeeper Scott Bain have both arrived on loan so far this month and Lennon says another one or two could be brought in - particularly with injuries to David Gray and Steven Whittaker in the full back positions. Lennon said:

We are looking for forward-thinking players, although we may have to trim the squad first before we can bring anybody else in.

It’s a question of ‘wait and see’ but we have already lined up some options in a number of positions.

At this stage of the season, we are looking to strengthen but I am very happy with the core of the squad.

Livi kids joins Berwick on loan

The forward joins until the end of the season and Berwick boss Robbie Horn is over the moon to have secured his services.

Horn said:

We welcome Jack to the squad and I think he will be a great addition. He’s highly thought of by Livingston and his previous loan club and my local team Penicuik where he had a good goal scoring record. Jack is only 17 but he is powerful, good in the air, quick and can finish.

Palace striker list grows

Reports in Italy claim Roy Hodgson is also a fan of Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar, who is rated at €17million.

Palace have been credited with an interest in France Under-21 centre-forward Dembele as they look to bolster their strike rate.

The English Premier League side are currently comfortably sitting 12th in the table but have a -12 goal difference.

13:36

Conte doesn't know if Chelsea will join Sanchez race

Speaking of Sanchez ... Chelsea manager Antonio Conte refused to rule out a bid for the Chilean. Although he hardly confirmed the Blues would enter the race either.

It was reported on Monday evening that Chelsea had joined Manchester United in the battle to sign the Arsenal contract rebel, but Conte refused to expand during his Tuesday press conference. When asked if the club would sign Sanchez, he replied:

I don’t know, I don’t think so.

About the transfer market I prefer to talk to the club and give an opinion and I repeat I don’t want to give my opinion on that.

13:31

United's swoop for Sanchez depends on Mkhitaryan

(Image: Manchester United)

Manchester United’s bid to bring Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford hinges on Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction, according to the Armenian’s agent.

United boss Jose Mourinho admitted on Monday night that his side “have a chance” to sign Sanchez in this window, with previous suitors Manchester City understood to have now exited the race for the 29-year-old due to the cost involved. Mkhitaryan’s agent Mino Raiola has now claimed in The Times that Sanchez’s transfer to United is reliant on his client joining Arsenal as part of the deal.

Manchester United are not going to sign Sanchez unless Mkhi agrees to join Arsenal.

Mkhi is going to do what is best for him. He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract so it’s his decision.

Sanchez is part of the Mkhi deal, not the other way around.

13:27

Rangers poll: Is Jones needed?

Rangers have had a bid for Jordan Jones booted out by Kilmarnock - but is another wide man really a priority at Ibrox?

It’s a question which has sparked a lot of debate among the Rangers fans. If there was one last signing before the end of the window which position should it be?

13:08

Theo Walcott set for Everton medical

(Image: David Price)

Theo Walcott is set to join Everton after the club agreed a fee with Arsenal.

The England attacker will go for a medical at Finch Farm and is expected to join the club before the weekend.

Sam Allardyce has already strengthened his side by bringing in Cenk Tosun and will now add Walcott to the tanks.

Russell Martin on why he is signing for Rangers

Russell Martin says he turned down offers from the English Championship to make the move to Rangers.

The defender is hoping the move can earn him a recall to the Scotland squad as he landed in Glasgow to undergo a medical at the club.

He’ll spend the rest of the season on loan at Ibrox, and revealed his delight at being there.

He said:

It was a massive attraction to come up here and hopefully play some football and get back into the international frame with a new manager on the horizon.

I’m absolutely delighted to be here. There’s still a bit to do but let’s get it done today - as you can see from this big suitcase I’m expecting to stay for a while!

To be honest there’s been interest from a lot of clubs - Championship down in England - but as soon as I knew Rangers were interested a couple of weeks ago I said to my agent from the off this was the one I wanted.